ENTRIES
TO THE BALLOT
The demand for entries for both the Ultra Marathon and Half Marathon at the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon( TTOM) by far exceeds the number of entries available. Therefore, in line with international best practice, we implement a ballot system, with all entries going into a draw for the available entries.
It may feel a bit like buying a lottery ticket, but there is a good reason for the ballot draw system used by the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon( TTOM). This is the fairest way to allocate the sought-after entries, as it levels the playing fields, and the advantage to you, as a runner, is that you won’ t lose out just because you couldn’ t get in on a first come, first served basis. For example, if you don’ t have internet access when entries open, or your internet connection is slow, you now have several days to get into the draw, and there is a smooth, inclusive, fair and audited process, without the rush and anxiety of having to get into the entry system first. You also have an extended time in which to pay for your entry.
Once you submit your ballot application or apply to go into the draw – it’ s the same thing – a computer programme will randomly select those names that will be allocated an entry. In other words, it’ s like the lottery, but instead of drawing lucky numbers, the names of lucky runners will be drawn.
Ballot FAQs
Will I stand a better chance of having my name drawn if I submit my application on the first day? No, you have an equal chance of being drawn whether you submit your name on the first day or last day.
When will I know if my application was successful or not? You will receive an email and / or SMS after each draw to let you know if you were chosen in that draw. You will also be able to check your profile online to see if you were chosen in the draw.
What happens if my name was drawn, but I didn’ t pay by the payment deadline? If you miss the payment deadline, you will unfortunately forfeit your entry, but you will receive reminders that you need to pay, and by when. This is why it is so important to make sure that the cellphone number and email address you provide on your Profile on the Race Admin Entry System is correct.
There are two Ultra Marathon draws, and two Half Marathon draws, and it works as follows.
ULTRA MARATHON DRAWS: 1. The first Ultra Marathon draw is for runners who have 7 or more
TTOM Ultra Marathon medals. 2. The second draw is for everyone else applying for an Ultra Marathon entry.
HALF MARATHON DRAWS: 1. The first Half Marathon draw is for runners who belong to running clubs, and this is called the ASA club draw.( Take note that you must be in good standing with your club to qualify for this draw).
2. The second draw is for the rest of the runners who do not belong to a running club, and this second draw is called the general draw. If you were not drawn in the first Half Marathon draw as a club member, your name will automatically go into draw 2.
WHEN IS IT TIME TO PAY? Take note that you don’ t pay anything when you initially apply to go into the ballot draw system. You will only pay if your name is successfully drawn and you are allocated an entry, in which case you’ ll get an email letting you know that your application has been successful, i. e. your name has been drawn. Very important to remember is that you will forfeit or lose your entry if you do not pay for it. Once you have paid for your entry, you must also ensure that all your other information is up to date. If not, you will unfortunately also forfeit your entry.
NOT EVERYBODY GOES INTO THE BALLOT
There are two groups of athletes that do not have to rely on the ballot system to ensure they get an entry for the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon:
• Blue Number and Yellow Number holders: Those who have completed 10 or more Ultra Marathons or Half Marathons( Blue Number holders), as well as those with nine medals who are going for their Blue Number( Yellow Number holders) are given the first chance to enter on a first come, first served basis, as the event’ s way of saying thank you for their loyalty to the event.
• International entrants: Each year, about 3000 international entrants from around 90 countries take part in the TTOM, and they play an important role in promoting the City of Cape Town as a top international sporting, event and tourism destination. This plays a big role in creating the huge economic benefit that TTOM brings to the Western Cape economy. The other reason that international entrants are excluded from the ballot system is that their numbers are still small enough, but this decision is re-evaluated each year, in order to make sure that the entry process is as fair as possible for everyone.
8 Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon 2026